Washington Nationals thrash Miami Marlins 4-0 as Stephen Strasburg records 10th win-MLB Update
Starter Stephen Strasburg survives a bases-loaded situation as he helps the Washington Nationals shut-out the Miami Marlins 4-0 in the third game of the four match series at Marlins Park, Miami on July 15, 2012.
The Marlins had another forgettable day in the field. Neither the pitchers nor the batters stood up for them. Their starter Ricky Nolasco gave up four runs in little more than five innings.
The runs that he leaked in the fifth and the sixth led to the Marlins’ defeat. While he started off well and threw couple of scoreless innings, later on he just lost the path and failed to keep the momentum afloat.
Unlike the starter, the Marlins’ relievers pitched scoreless innings. They gave an impression that if the starter had supported them with a splendid show on the mound from the start, the team would not give in so cheaply.
As far as the Nationals were concerned, their batters rightly utilised the hits for accumulating runs. In contrast to wastage of run scoring opportunities by the Marlins, they duly made the most of whatever they saw in their favour in the game.
Their third-baseman Ryan Zimmerman connected one hit in four at-bats. Similarly, left-fielder Michael Morse contributed one RBI, in the four at-bats he came across.
Above all, the contribution of their starter Strasburg did bulk of the damage to the Marlins’ chances for winning.
He threw six scoreless innings and struck-out seven. There were occasions in the game when Strasburg was prone to give up a number of runs, but an incredible way to come out of the jam by him became the source of his survival.
Meanwhile, Strasburg shared his thoughts on being lucky enough to get rid of the squeeze and did not permit base-runners to go aboard.
"It's one of those days where you get through (the jams)," Strasburg said. "You just have do your best and keep the team in the ballgame."
Strasburg will be pleased with the fact that he recorded his 10th win of the season on Sunday.
While the concerns for the Marlins have increased now, the Nationals will be content with the fact that they are keeping their momentum going in the season.
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